The Democrat candidate recently claimed that he was in good health and had plans to debate his republican opponent, Mehmet Oz. Following this claim, Oz has demanded that Fetterman debates him before mail-in and absentee ballots are sent out in September.
In about two weeks, absentee and mail-in ballots will be made available in Pennsylvania.
Oz said, “John Fetterman has been ducking, dodging these debates, which is insulting to the voters of Pennsylvania. And he has to own the reasons for his desire to avoid a debate with me. Either he’s healthy, which he says he is and doesn’t want to answer for his radical positions in past statements, or he’s lying about his health.”
He added, “Either way, the voters of Pennsylvania deserve an answer, and I think they deserve that answer pretty quickly, since the absentee ballots will be mailed out in the next two to three weeks.”
News attention has been on Fetterman recently, and he has tried to reduce that attention, which led him to claim that he intends to debate Oz without giving specific details.
John Fetterman can barely talk. I hope he gets well, but if he can’t debate Dr. Oz how in the world can he serve in the senate? He should step down immediately. If he doesn’t, no Pennsylvanian can vote for him. They are trying to hide him. He isn’t well. pic.twitter.com/OzXpMjF9EI
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 6, 2022
He claimed, “We’re absolutely going to debate Dr. Oz, and that was really always our intent to do that. It was just simply only ever been about addressing some of the lingering issues of the stroke, the auditory processing, and we’re going to be able to work that out.”
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman confirms he will debate Mehmet Oz and adds: “Let’s be clear this has never really been about debates for Dr. Oz. This whole thing has been about Dr. Oz and his team mocking me for having a stroke because they’ve got nothing else.”
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 7, 2022
However, he failed to foresee Oz’s reaction to this claim. Oz immediately accepted the challenge as he gave additional requirements for the debate, as Fetterman refused to provide any specifics.
Regarding the promised debate, Fetterman only noted that it would be held only once, whereas Oz has agreed to debate five times. Moreso, Fetterman cunningly added that the debate would also be towards the end of October, only days become the elections in November, adding that his campaign is still working on his auditory concerns.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is calling for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to participate in up to six Senate debates this month after his Democratic opponent agreed to only one in November. https://t.co/Y6xkaTt0zR
— Newsmax (@newsmax) September 9, 2022
Oz, in his response to Fetterman, demanded that the first debate be held this month so voters can immediately know who their candidates are, as stalling it made the decision hard for the Pennsylvanian voters. Oz said, “Pick one of the debates in the next two, three weeks. So we can get this ball rolling.”
Oz added, “This is not about health. This is about honesty. You’re either healthy, which [Fetterman] says he is pretty much, or you’re not debating because you don’t want to face the rigors of being pushed on your radical positions. Or you’re lying about being healthy.”
John Fetterman’s misinformation campaign is busy tonight, here’s the reality: I have committed to 6 debates in September and October. Fetterman has committed to 0. Absentee ballots can go out September 19th. We need to be debating early and often.
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) September 8, 2022
In addition, Oz noted that he would not be accepting any debate in the middle of October. The only exception would be if Fetterman agreed to do one in the coming days.